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Meet Our Mavericks :: Jess Ruhfus :: Collabosaurus

Author: Pru Chapman,
Founder of Owners Collective

Pru Chapman is the Founder + Head Hustler at Owners Collective, a dedicated digital community and global online resource hub for early stage entrepreneurs. Pru gets giddy supporting business owners to create meaningful, sustainable + profitable businesses. She loves nothing more than a long black, post Crossfit session.

It’s dating but different. Meet Jess Ruhfus the brain and blonde behind the exciting new platform Collabosaurus. I had the pleasure of meeting Jess just a few months back as Collabosaurus was being born. It’s only early days but this woman and this platform are packing a punch. Talk about spotting a gap in the industry and blowing it out of the water! Through targeted exposure, Collabosaurus makes partnerships between brands happen. Best part is that it’s quick, automated and maxmises exposure for the big and the little guys. Just what we love. We caught up with Jess recently, and here’s what she had to say about launching her own thing…

OC: WHERE ARE YOU + WHAT’S THE TIME?

JR: 4.34pm on a rainy Monday, curled up by the heater with my laptop!

OC: TELL US A BIT ABOUT WHAT YOU DO

JR: I launched an online match-making platform for brands called Collabosaurus. The site fosters strategic brand partnerships to help businesses get incredible, targeted exposure on a budget in a reduced amount of time.

OC: WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?

I love the creative ideas that spark from bringing two different brands together! Some of the most successful partnerships are the crazy ones and they’re the most fun to work on. I also love it when the concept of brand partnerships sinks-in and a business owner realises its potential for their business – it’s magical!

OC: WHAT SACRIFICES HAVE YOU HAD TO MAKE TO BE A SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEUR?

JR: I had never been so out of my comfort zone the day I resigned from my full time job, ready to leap into a business which conceptually, as a platform, had not been proven before. I’ve had to sacrifice financial security of course but it’s all been worth it, thank goodness!

OC: WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?

JR: Being around my family always has me in fits of laughter, my cat, Bruno, is a weirdo bundle of awesome and I strongly believe in savoring the morning coffee ritual. And sleep… I seriously love sleep.

OC: TELL US ABOUT A HIGH POINT IN YOUR CAREER

JR: The 3 days in a row where we broke membership records and brought on 250 new subscribers – thanks to an Instagram competition to win a funded marketing campaign. Incredible brand alliances, friends and grapevine contacts spontaneously plugged the competition, bringing an incredibly successful few days and proof that partnership marketing works.

OC: NOW TELL US ABOUT A LOW POINT

JR: Early on, I received an email from an annoyed subscriber demanding to cancel his account. He believed he wasn’t informed the site was in pre-launch and was frustrated he’d seemingly wasted his time. The email hit me in the stomach and I suddenly started questioning everything! Luckily, I responded immediately and this guy is now a loyal subscriber.

OC: WHAT DID YOU NEED TO KNOW TO GET OUT OF THERE?

JR: As much as administrative work and customer service roles frustrated me when I was working for others, I knew how to handle those situations quickly and effectively.

OC: WHAT’S YOUR COFFEE ORDER?

JR: Strong cappuccino … don’t skimp on the chocolate.

OC: WHAT KICK ASS DAILY HABITS DO YOU HAVE IN PLACE?

JR: I’ve recently set myself a water challenge to make sure I drink enough! I have a tally on my notepad and a daily quota – working so far!

OC: HOW DO YOU GENERATE NEW IDEA’S?

JR: Talking to people is absolutely the best way for me to generate ideas. Initially it’s hugely beneficial to chat to someone in my target market, to figure out their issues and frustrations. From there I brainstorm, bounce ideas off interns, colleagues, friends and family to refine them.

I also often find that inspiration and ideas come from my Instagram feed! if you’re following influential people and brands, it’s very inspiring to see what they’re up to.

OC: IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO START YOUR CAREER OVER AGAIN, WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY?

JRL Nothing! I should have interned more while I was at University but I chose to travel instead… #noregrets

OC: IF YOU COULD SHARE ONE PIECE OF BUSINESS ADVICE WITH OTHERS WHAT WOULD IT BE?

JR: Get familiar with tools such as Yesware, Canva, Schedugr.am and Iconosquare. These have been an absolute god send in getting Collabosaurus off the ground. Did you know that Canva allows you to export your designs with bleed and crop marks? Wow. Did you know that Yesware lets you see if, when and how many times someone has read your email? Or that Iconosquare gives you analytics about your Instagram post engagement and audience? Very valuable tools in any business.

OC: WHAT DO THE NEXT FEW MONTHS HOLD?

JR: We have so many collaborations underway and I can’t wait to show a bunch of case studies to help new and existing members see opportunities for their own brands! We have the U.S and U.K in our sights too amidst organising our first marketing workshop – Can. Not. Wait.

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